Energy Research, Development & Demonstration

Energy RD&D

Research, development, and demonstration are central to the mission of the LSU Energy Institute. The RD&D core area provides a coordinated framework for advancing high-quality, relevant energy research at LSU.

Dr. Greg Upton

Interim Director, Energy Institute

Director of Research, Development & Demonstration

A key function of this core area is to lead and coordinate LSU’s campus-wide efforts related to demonstration-scale energy projects. These projects serve as an important bridge between research and real-world application, allowing new technologies, systems, and approaches to be tested, evaluated, and refined under practical conditions. By convening faculty, students, industry partners, and public agencies, the Energy Institute seeks to position LSU as a hub for applied energy demonstration and learning. LSU faculty organizing large multi-disciplinary externally funded research proposals can also seek assistance from the Energy Institute for convening meetings and other support.

The RD&D core area is also responsible for documenting and organizing the substantial body of historical research conducted by CES, the Louisiana Geological Survey, and affiliated units and faculty. Preserving and synthesizing this work ensures that past research continues to inform current analysis and future project development.

In addition, the RD&D core provides direction and oversight for research activities within the Energy Institute, with an emphasis on rigor, relevance, and transparency. Research outputs include both peer-reviewed scholarly publications and white papers intended for broader audiences, supporting informed decision-making across Louisiana’s energy sector and beyond.

Energy RD&D

The RD&D core area advances applied energy research from concept through demonstration. This core area conducts technical feasibility studies, validates emerging technologies, and supports pilot programs that bridge laboratory research to real-world deployment. The work emphasizes scientific rigor and practical applicability for Louisiana's energy challenges. Access our white papers here.

Potential Workforce Implications of the Geothermal Industry Across the United States

A new report from the LSU Center for Energy Studies, in collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines, examines the potential economic implications of a large-scale geothermal energy buildout in the United States. The research was funded by Third Way.

Using scenario-based projections through 2050, the analysis estimates associated investment and economic activity based on the modeling framework described in the report.

The study evaluates three development scenarios, with installed geothermal capacity projected to reach between 10 and 36 gigawatts by 2050 and capital expenditures ranging from approximately $20 billion to $139 billion (2025 dollars). Construction activity is estimated to support between 7,400 and 39,400 jobs annually over the next decade, while ongoing operations support between 6,500 and 24,200 jobs nationwide each year once the buildout is completed.

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2026